President’s Message – Membership Challenge
This year will be the most challenging year for the club in a long time.  We reached a membership high of 341 in July of 2007 and the membership numbers have slowly decreased since then to the current level of 292, primarily due to the difficult economic times.  The club has managed to finish in the black the last 2 years due to good member participation and management.  I want to challenge the membership to help make this year successful as well.

I want to challenge each member to recruit a new member.  Most of us know someone who plays golf and lives in the area, but is not a member of the club.  Invite them to play a round at the club and see what we have to offer.  We have a great new member special with reduced dues for two years.  There are also cart shed spots available.  This is a great time for a new member to join.  Jason can send them  information if you want.  If you recruit a new member you will get $50 in Club Bucks and also help the club keep dues reasonable and have the funds to make the improvements many of you suggested in the membership survey. So give it your best shot.  If more than 10% of us are successful, we will have a good year. My goal is to reach last summers membership level of 325. For your information, the new member reduced dues are below:

MONTHLY DUES (Including $10/month Capital Improvement Fee) FOR NEW MEMBERS

*For Family Memberships the age of the older spouse determines the category

Another way for the club to have a successful year is to increase member participation at the club.  We have lunch at the club Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays; dinner on Men’s Night and Women’s Night; as well as other special member events and club parties.  There are also regular happy hours at the bar.  Many of you participate regularly and some of you less often.  I want to challenge you to come out to your club just one extra time each month.  For example, if you live and/or work  in town, come on out to lunch with some friends or fellow workers.  Or come on out to Sunday Brunch this month on the 14th.  Or during the golf season, invite a friend to play a round at your club.  Your participation will be appreciated and help make your club a success. 
Thank you in advance for your help,
Werner 

Creek Crossing Repair Update
The weather continues to keep this project on hold. We cannot allow the heavy equipment required to do the work on the course until we get a few inches of frost in the ground or have firm hard ground to work on.  This could potentially push completion into golfing weather this spring or possibly to next fall.  It is our goal to have this work completed by the time we open the course in the Spring but that may not be possible.  If we are unable to achieve that goal, we will work to complete the project with a minimum of disruption to regular play. 

March Board Meeting on the 9th
The March meeting of the Board of directors has been moved to Tuesday March 9th.  This is a change from the date in the calendar.  The original date was during spring break week.

Land for a Driving Range
Our purchase of the property north of 16 tee and east of Country Club Road from the city was on the City Council Meeting agenda for a public hearing March 1st.  The City Council approved selling the land to the club.  The final details of the sale still need to be formally completed, but we have an agreement.  Many thanks to board member Kevin Halterman who was our go between with the city on this purchase.  The ad hoc Driving Range Committee of Mike Lathrop, Kevin Halterman, Ron Bright and Jon Schuttinga will be working with Joe and Jason on planning to build a driving range on the site.  It will likely be at least next year before we can get that completed. 

Ladies Association Salad Luncheon
This fundraiser for the Ladies Association will be held on Wednesday April 21, 2010.  Tickets are only $8 so save the date and plan to come.  This is Administrative Professionals Appreciation Day so bring a group from your office.

2010 Club Calendar
Work on the 2010 Club Calendar is currently in progress.  If you know any needed changes in your address or phone number let Jason know.

Membership Changes
We have received resignations from Tom & Mary Daughenbaugh and Nick & Laci Sinn.  Trial member Maxine Blazek has joined as a regular member.  Ralph & Marilyn Shaw have dropped their golf membership, but remain as social members.  We now have 292 golf, and 19 social memberships. We had 308 golf and 17 social memberships at this time last year and 320 golf memberships 2 years ago.

Reminders:

Lunch at the Club - Don't forget that lunch is available at the club from 11AM-2PM Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.  Feel free to bring your friends or co-workers.  It is one of the best deals in town.

Clubhouse Now Wireless - The clubhouse now has wireless internet access both in the downstairs bar and upstairs ballroom.  If you want to bring out your computer when you eat lunch or schedule a business lunch or business meeting upstairs this service is available. Contact Jason for details.

New Members Needed - The poor economy continues to have an effect on our membership.  Now is a great time for new members to join since cart shed spots are available, they will pay only social dues until April 1, 2010. Details of our current new member special are on the website at http://www.indianolacountryclub.com/prospectivemembers.html. If you know of anyone who is a potential member, let them know about this opportunity to join the club at a reduced rate.  Just let Jason know their name and address or email, and he will send them the information.

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